Convertible article of furniture



w. MAY@ mL 2,223,259

CONVERTIBLE ARTICLE FURNITURE Filed Nov. '22, 195s 2 sheets-sheet 1 amy,

Nav. 26, 1940. w. MAYO ErL 'E 2,223,259

CONVERTIBLE ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Nov. 22, 1938 2 Sheets-sheet 2 @aga Patented Nov. 26, 1.940

PAT

ENT-ortica f ooNvERTreLE ARTICLE oF FUnNrrUnE Warwick Mayo and Elbridge E. Nook, Jr., Norf folk, Va.; assignors to pany,-Norfolk, Va..

Application November 22 6 Claims.

This invention relatesltofa convertible article of furniture and more particularly toan article of furniture commonly known as a studiooo'uch, An'object of `this invention` is to providean '5w improved couchand having as elements thereof a stationary and any extendable frame structure whereby the n movement of the said extensible 1 frame is made easy so that one person can readily t y move the extensible "frame ,to` an extended posi- 10mm, i i

Y nother object of this invention is to `provide ina couch structure of this kind connected end membersor armrests so that if Vdesired either t one of `the armrests mayk be rocked in order to extend the :'extensibleframe from or to retract it to a telescoping position realtive to the stationary frame. Y i l l A further objectlof this invention is to provide an improved supporting means for movably supl porting the extensible frame in order that it may be readily moved to an extendedposition.

A A still further object of this invention is to provide in a couch structure of this kind means whereby the extensible frame will `be raised to a position out of engagement with the iioor when the extensible frameis in a retracted position.

Aurther object ofrthis invention is to provide in a structure of this kind `means whereby the elevating means forthe extensible frame will be disposed in `a: position for engagement with the t elevating structure upon retraction ofthe extensible frame., l ,s d Y, v. j Y

A further object ofzthis invention is to provide an improved connectionrbetween the extensible frame and the operator thereforso that the operator. may have a limitedmovement relative tothe extensibleyframe in order notonly to facilitate the movementof the extensible framen but also to position the back ofthe `couch structure in the desired upright position.. Y j

Withthe foregoing and other objects in view, I the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement ofparts as will be morespecically referredto and as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be `understood that changes, variations and modications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Figure 1 is a detail bottom plan of a couch frame structure, when retracted, constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a detail front elevation of the couch structure, i

Norfolk Mattre ss Com- 193s, serial No. 241,850 (o1. 5-44) Figure 3 isa detail top plan partly broken away of the couch structure in extended position,

Figure 4 is a detailend elevation of the couch showing in dotted lines the positions of the two irarnes of the couch structure when the latter is 5 n in extendediposition, y t t Figure 5 isa sectional View taken transversely throughthe couch struc-ture showing in dotted linesA the relative positions of the parts when 1n extended position, v i

Figure 6 is Aa ,fragmentary enlarged side elevation of thesupporting means between the extensible frame and the end or arm rest,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 1 -'I ofFigure 6,

Figure 8 is aenlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Figure 1, Figure 9 is afenlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on ltheline 9 9 of Figure 10,

Figure 10 is a sectional'vew taken on the line 20 Id-I of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is asection line I`I--I {,Figure 3, illustrating the form and' arrangement of a combined pusher and connecting member,

Figure l2 is a section on line I2-i2, Figure 3, `.2&5

and l o I i Figure 13 is a fragmentary view in plain of the t form of shiftable supporting device for a track rail 'and showingthe arrangement of the device with respectV to` an end railof the stationary -30 frame. Referring to the drawings, the reference characters `I5 and I6 designate generally a pair of frames. The frame I5 is stationary and the frame `I6 movable, that is to say frame I6 is ex- 85 tensible with respect to frame I5. -When frame I6 is retracted it is disposed in telescopic relation with respect to frame I5. I

The frame I5, includes frontand rear angle bars or rails I'I and I8 which are connected to- 40 gether by end rails or bars-I9 and 2li,- a brace Vmember 2I connects an end rail I9 with a rear rail I8 and a bracingmember 22 connects. the rear rail I8 with the end rail 20. Front and rear supporting legs 23 are secured lto the frame I5 45 by bracing members 24, these latter. extend upwardly from the' legs 23 to the :rails Hand I8. Each leg 23 isyprovided at the lower end thereoi with a yieldable foot 25. l

The extensible frame I6 comprises front and 50 rear rails or bars 26 and `21 respectively which are connected together by endmembers 28. Arranged below the top of frame I6 and inwardly of each Yend member 28, as well as being connectecl withA the rails 26, 2l is a rail or track 29 65 in the form of an angle bar having one leg 30 thereof fixed to the inner side of the end member 28 and the other legr 3| thereof extending right angularly inwardly and providing a track the purpose for which will be hereinafter described. The frame I6 is provided with front and rear supporting legs 32 having rollers 33 atthe lower ends thereof. When frame I6 is in extended position all four rollers 33 are positioned in- Contact with the floor, but whenit is in retracted position,

all four of the rollers 33 arein elevated or raised yposition as shown in Figure 5 in full lines.

The stationary frame member I5 supportsvforwardly of the front thereof `aY pair of spaced aligned rollers 35. Each roller 35 is mountedin a horizontally disposed yoke-shaped carrier 39 (Figure 9). Positioned against the outer sides of the 'Vertical' legs and below the horizontal legs of the end rails I9, 26 are forwardly extending downwardly inclined oppositely disposed bars 365 The carriers .are disposed under the tracks 29 by The end rail-s I9 and 26 of the the extensions. frame l5 are provided in their vertical legs with elongated slots 46 adjacent the forward endsl of such rails. The slots 46 are Vdisposf'sd lengthwise.

of rails I5, 26.l The bars 36 arejmovably secured to the endrails I9, 26 by spaced headed members 4I xed tothe bars 36and slidably mounted in the slots 45, and in thisconnection attention is directed to Figure 9, which discloses the` arrangement of one of the bars 36 with respect to the rail l5. When, the extensible frame i6 is moved to retracted position the front rail'26 thereof en- .gages the rollers 35 and forces the bars 36' to their innermost position relative to. the 'slots 46. When the frame I6 is in an extended position, relative to the frame l5, the bars 46 are moved forwardly by the engagement with the extensions 3l of the horizontal legs of theV depending angular shaped members 42 -which are fixed to the front lof the vertical leg of the rear rail 2l of the frame I6 at the end terminal portions of such vertical leg. The tracks 25 are to travel on the rollers 35 for the purpose of elevating frame i6. The extensible movement of the frame I6 relative to the frame I5 is limited by means of the members 42 coacting with the extensions 3l. The rollers, carriers'rand bars 36 form what may be termed combined supporting and guiding devices forthe tracks. The members 42 constitute combined pushers` ,and connecters as they act to push said devices. forwardly` and connect the'frames together when the frame I6 is. extended relative to frame I5.

'Ihe extensible frame I6 is locked in retracted position by a latch member 43 whichis preferably mounted on a pivot 44 carried'by an angle-bar V45 secured to the inner side'of the front rail 26. The latch or locking member 143 as shown in Figure 8 is adapted to engage over the top of the front rail l1 of the stationary fram-e I`5,'and may be raised to a .released position by means of a depending arm 46 having a horizontal extension 411 whichv provides an operating handle fforthe latch member "43 projecting slightly below the lower edge of the front rail 26 at substantially the longitudinal center of this member 26.

A pair of end members 48 and 49 are disposed one at each end of the extensible frame I6 being positioned in spaced relation to the frame I6. Theseend members 48 and 49 are of identical construction and each end member comprises an upper bar 56, a lower horizontally disposed bar 5I and a connecting bar 52 which in the present instance is formed integral with thetwo bars 50 and 5I. In the present instance the bars 50, 5I and 5,2 are formed from a tubular member which is bent in substantially U-shape with the biglit of `the members at the forward side of the couch.

The upper rail-or bar member 56 comprises an arm rest supporting member on which an arm rest 53 in the form of a piece of wood or'suitable `means is secured in any suitable manner. A lon-v gitudinally extending connecting bar 54 extends along the length of the frame structure comprising the two frames I5 and' I6 being normally disposed in an elevated position and along the upper edge of a back wal-l structure. The bar 54 has arcuate extensions 55 at eachfend' which e-xtend downwardly and are `continued* by -a vrelatively straight extension 56-which is integral with the lower bar 5P. The upper bar or rail 50 has the rear end thereof xedly secured tothe extension 56 by welding or the like'so that the two end members 48 and 49 are formed integral with the connecting bar 54 andi are adapted to rock simultaneously with the rocking of thefconnect'- frame member 2B and thisbar-or post 58 isadapted to have a limited rocking movement oni the bolt 59. The bar or post A58 is limited in its rocking movement vby meansv of a pair vof spaced apart headed members 61I- and 62 which are secured to the end frame member 28- throug-h slots 63 and 64 `respectively formed in the bar vor post 58. The upper end yportion of the post 58v supports the end member 48 by providing a pivot 65 which engages through the post 58 andthe connectinggbar 5l, and Ypreferably spacing Ymem-bers 66A are interposed between the post 58 and .the connecting bar 5l so as to spaeethev post 58 a desired disa counterclockwise-direction asviewed in Figure 4.

A- rear or back `member 692 is pivotably secured at a point upwardly from the lower end thereof to the stationary frame I5 by means of a pivot le and thefupper end Aof the back wall structure S9 is pivotably secured tothe horizontal connect-` ing barv 54 by means ofa vpair of U-shaped straps 'II secured as by -fasteningdevices'e'IZ to theback member 69; This back member 69 is a combined back for the retracted couch and a top for the stationary 'frame member when the couch- .is in extendedposition. The position of thev back member 69 when the couch is in extended pos`ition -is vsubstantially horizontal as shown by dotted lines in Figures 4 and 5.

The` frame I6 is adapted to have a cushioning body 14 on the upper side thereof and a removable cushion l is adapted to engage on this lower cushion 14 when the couch is in retracted position. When in extended position, the cushionxl is adapted to engage on the horizontal back member 69 as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. Inthis latter position the upper surfaces of the two cushion members 'M and 'l5 will be substantially -coplanan r i In the .use and operation of this couch structure when `the device is in retracted position the extensible frame i6 will be telescoped about the stationary frame l5 as shown in Figure 1. In the eventit is. desired toform this couch structure into va double bed the latch member `43 is raised from engagement with the bar l1 torelease the extensible frame from the stationary frame, after which the connecting bar 52 of an end member 48 or 49 is pulled forwardly and upwardly on its pivot 65. The upward movement of the end member 48 or 49 is in a clockwise direction. On the starting of the clockwise movement` of the end member 48 or 49, as the back 69 is pivotally connected at its upper end to bar 54 of end member 48 or 49, the back 69 is shifted out of a direct vertical line and affords a leverage for separating the frames. The movement aforesaid ofthe end member 48 or 49, due to the points of the pivotal connections 'H between it and the back 69 will provide for the latter moving in an anti-clockwise or forward direction on its pivot to assume its dotted line position (Figures 4 and 5) after the extensible frame has been shifted from the stationary frame to the desired extent. As the extensible frame is moving forwardly relative to the stationary frame the rails 29 ride over the rollers 35. The rails 29 after the frame I5 has been moved a slight distance will be spaced above the front rollers 35 and at this time the front rollers 33 will be in contact with the floor. Further outward shifting of the frame IE caused by a further clockwise movement `of the end member 48 or 49 will cause frame I6 to be placed in the dotted line positions Figures 4 and 5. Just beforethe frame I6 reaches the extent of its forward shifted position, the extensions 31 will contact with the depending members 42 whereby the rollers 35 will be extended forwardly beneath the rails or tracks 29, and at this time the tracks 29 will be substantially out of contact with the rollers 35.

When it is desired to shift the frame I6 from extended position to telescopic position with respect to the frame l5, the extension 56 of the end member 48 or 49, which is now disposed at the front of the latter is pushed rearwardly with a downward pull thereon whereby the end member will be revolved on its pivot in an anti-clockwise direction resulting in the back 69 moving clockwise on its pivot 'lll'. 'I'he end member is revolved anti-clockwise to an extent to provide for the end member and back 59 to assume the full line positions, Figures 4 and 5. As the frame I6 moves rearwardly the rails 29 will ride up on the rollers 35 to its telescopic position with respect to frame l5, and when in such position the rollers 33 of the frame I6 will be elevated olf the iioor.

When the couch structure is in a retracted position the vertical position of the back member 69 may be regulated by means of the swinging post 58 so that the back member 69 may be disposed in either a true Vertical position or a forwardly inclined position or a slightly rearwardly inclined position.` ,It will be understood that the usual loose cushions may also be used with this `couch structure such cushions being placed in an upright position along the back member V69 and on top of the removable cushion member 15. For convenience of illustration these loose cushions have not been shown in the drawings.` f

What we claim is:

1. In a convertible couch structure comprising a stationary frame, an extensible frame, a pair of inwardly projecting track members carried by said extensible frame and disposed on an inclination to the horizontal, legs carried by said extensible frame, rollers carried by said legs, a pair of slide bars, means slidably securing said bars to said stationary frame, a roller carried by each bar engageable with the lower face of `a track member whereby to elevate said extensible frame upon retraction thereof, a pair of looped end members disposed one at each end of said extensible frame, means pivotally securing said end members to said extensible frame, a connecting bar connecting said end members together, a back structure, means pivotally securing said back structure to said stationary frame, means pivotally securing said back structure to said connecting bar, and releasable latch means carried by said extensible frame and engageable with said stationary frame member to releasably lock said extensible frame member in retracted position.

2. A convertible couch structure comprising a stationary frame, an extensible frame, means slidably mounting said extensible frame on said stationary frame, a pair of end members disposed one at each end of said extensible frame member, posts pivotally connected to the ends of the extensible frame for pivotally suspending said end members between their tops and bottoms, means for limiting the extent of the pivoting movement of said posts in opposite directions, means rigidly connecting said end members together, a substantially fiat rear wall structure, means pivotally securing said rear wall structure to said stationary frame, and means pivotally securing said rear wall structure to said connecting means, said rear wall structure being engageable with the upper side of said stationary frame when said extensible frame is in extended position to thereby constitute a top for said stationary frame.

3. In a convertible article of furniture of that type including a stationary frame, the combination of a movable frame for normally disposing in telescopic relation with respect to the stationary frameand adapted to be moved in directions respectively from normal position to seat on the floor and to normal position to encompass the stationary frame, said movable frame being formed of a front rail, a rear rail, a pair of end rails and parallel track rails inclining downwardly and forwardly arranged below its top and inwardly of said end rails, spaced parallel oppositely shiftable combined supporting and guiding devices including revoluble parts forwardly of the front of the stationary frame for correlation with the lower faces of said track rails to provide for the track rails elevating the movable frame as the latter is shifted to telescopic relation with respect to the stationary frame, said devices arranged in the rearward path of and shifted rearwardly by said front rail on the moving of the movable frame to telescopic position with respect to the' movable frame, means for shiftably connecting' said devices to the ends of the stationary frame kand forlimiting the extent of the shiftoi said devices in opposite directionaand depending means carried by said rear rail and n coacting with said devices for limiting the extent lower end to the rear of the stationary frame, means pivotally connecting th-efupper end` of said of the movement ofthe movable frame from its normal position, for shifting forwardly said devices to position said revoluble parts under the track rails and correlating with said devices for connecting the frames together when the movable frame is extended.

4. In a convertible article of furniture a stationary frame, a movable frame for normally disposing in telescopic relation with respect to the stationary frame and movable in directions respectively from normal position to be arranged parallel to the front of the stationary frame and to normal position to encompass the stationary frame, releasable means for securing the movable frame in telescopic relation with respect to the stationary frame, upstanding pivoting supports connected to and.v projecting above the ends of the movable frame, means for limiting the extent of the pivoting movement of said supports in opposite directions, upstanding skeletonv end structures each including an arm rest and a vertical brace intermediate its ends, said braces being pivotally suspendedintermediate their ends on said supports to provide for the turning of said structures, a bar connecting the rear end of one structure to the rear end of the other structure, a vertically disposed back hinged adjacent its back to said bar to provide for said structures moving said back from vertical to'. horizontal position onto the top of the stationary' frame when the movablek frame is moved from normal position and for moving said back` from horizontal to vertical positionwhen the movable frame is moved to normal position.

5. In a convertible article! oi furniture a stationary frame, a movable frame for normally .disposing in telescopic relation with respect to structures each including an arm restv and a ver# tical brace intermediate its ends, saidy braces being pivotally suspended intermediate their ends on the supports to provide for the turning of said structures, a bar connecting the rear end of one structure to the rear end of the other structure, a vertically disposed back hinged adjacent its lower end to the rear of the stationary frame, means pivotally connecting the upper end of said back to said bar to provide for said structures moving said back from vertical to horizontal position onto the top of the stationary frame when the movable frame is moved from normal position and for moving said back from` horizon-y tal to vertical position when the movable frame is moved to normal position, and means carried by the ends of thek movable frame arresting the turning movement of said end structures in one direction when said movable frame is moved to normal position.

6; A convertible couch comprising a stationary frame, an extensible frameinormally disposed in telescopic relation with respect to said stationary frame, said extensible frame including a pair of downwardly and forwardly inclined parallel tracks disposed inwardly of the ends and below the top thereof, 'a pair of retractible and extendible parallel rollers arranged forwardly of the front oi the stationary frame, positioned below the tracks, normally in retracted position and providing when extended for correlation with said tracks to elevate the extensible frame when the latter is moved from extended to telescopic position, a pair of oppositely disposed, oppositely shii'tabl'e supporting members inclining downwardly and forwardly having their outer ends formed with outwardly directed extensions, means for slidably connecting said members to the ends of the stationary frame and for limiting the extent of the shifting movement of said members in opposite directions, upturned carriers revolubly supporting said rollers, connected to said yextensions and bodily moving with said members, means carried by the extensible frame and engaging with the flanges ofsaid members, when such frame is moved to extended position to Shift said members forwardly to extend the rollers under the tracks and to connect said frames together, `and said extensible frame including a front rail engageable with the rollers, when such frame is moved to telescopic position to shift the rollers and said members to retracted position.l

WARWICK MAYO. ELBRIDGE E. NOCK, J'R. 

